Small-scale mining in Pasil declared as first Minahang Bayan in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Seventeen years after its proposal, the 700-hectare People’s Small-Scale Mining Area or ‘Minahang Bayan’ of Guina-ang Tribe Indigenous People Cultural Community (GTIPCC) in Barangays Bagtayan and Galdang, Pasil was finally declared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) as ‘Minahang Bayan’ this January 20, 2022.

The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) unanimously made the declaration of said first ‘Minahang Bayan’ in Kalinga through Resolution No. 01 series of 2022 issued during their first quarter meeting held at Las Vegas Hotel and Restaurant.

The resolution was signed by PMRB Chair and Mines and Regional Director of Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera (MGB-CAR) Fay W. Apil, Governor Ferdinand Tubban, Small-Scale mining Representative Artemio Dalsen, and Large-Scale mining Representative Alexander Madera.

Witnessing the event are Pasil Mayor Alfredo “Chao-ig” Malannag Jr., personnel of CENRO, PENRO, DENR, members of the Guina-ang Tribe IPCC.

Completion of Requirements

According to MGB RD Apil, the legalization of the small-scale mining in the area which was first proposed in 2005 has undergone the required process and submitted necessary documents before it was cleared for ‘Minahang Bayan’ by the DENR Secretary on December 28, 2021.

The Memorandum issued by DENR Secretary through MGB-CAR states that ‘upon thorough evaluation of the pertinent documents, this Department has determined that the said application is in order and is hereby cleared for declaration as PSSMA or Minahang Bayan.’

Required Small-Scale Mining Contract before operation

Apil reiterated the need for the tribe to acquire Small-Scale Mining Contract before they start mining operation in the declared ‘Minahang Bayan.’ The contract contains regulations such as environmental protection, safety of the miners and the generation of revenue by the government.

“Kasla first step pay laeng daytoy ta kunana idiay batas, maikkan kayo iti Small-Scale Mining Contract a permit yu nga agrugin nga agminas ngem masapul a mai-declare pay dagita lugar a Minahang Bayan. Siyempre, nu i-extract tayo kadagita minerals, adda met ti kaakibat na a responsibilidad iti ili tayo ken environment isunga masapul nga ag-permit tayo,” the MGB Regional Director said.

‘Minahang Bayan’ as poverty alleviation

Apil further stressed that the government has been encouraging application for ‘Minahang Bayan’ after realizing that it is a way of alleviating poverty among people in mountain areas.

“Ien-encourage ti gobyerno daytoy a Minahang Bayan ta na-realize da nga it’s also way of poverty alleviation of the people iti kabanbantayan ta sayang met nu adda ti minerals idiay ayan tayo ket baybay-an tayo laeng,” added the regional director.

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